Introduction to Google Android Software Platform

Ron Fredericks writes: LectureMaker was on scene filming Marko Gargenta deliver his Introduction to Google’s Android Software Platform during the September 3’rd regular meeting of the Software Development Forum (SDForum) Mobile Internet Special Interest Group meeting. Peter Lam was the host representing the Software Development Forum for this meeting, while Peter’s co-host Joe Jasin was traveling. The site for the event was located at the Orrick Law Office in Menlo Park with very friendly facilitators and signage to help a new visitor like me easily locate the meeting within the three building complex.

The presentation covers both a business and developer perspective with several practical examples and live demonstrations. See the list of quesitons and main topics represented as red navigation dots embedded in the video, as well as a time line near the end of this post.

Marko Gargenta Presents Android Introduction – the video

If you prefer not to upgrade to flash 10, you may try playing the flash movie from this link: lmpremovie.swf

Two Software Books by Marko Gargenta

Here is a brief summary of what you can learn from watching the video:

Learn how to build a rich developer ecosystem with open-source components on their handsets based on Android software platforms

Learn more about the choice between creating your own software application store vs. using the Android Market store managed by Google

Take advantage of the software created for a wide variety of other handsets using the democratic nature of all Android software apps created equal

New opportunities for other device (non-handset) manufacturers:

Learn about some early adopter opportunities in using the Android platform instead of more traditional real-time operating systems or even other embedded Linux code bases such as Photocopy machines and Netbooks

Developers:

Learn about the technical features and the new business markets created by Google’s Android software platform

Learn how to get and use the Eclipse desktop tools (on host) and Android handset platform (on target) for free

Learn how to port existing applications and software components to Android

Learn about the potential time-to-market advantages using the Android platform, and the open marketplace it creates

Learn about the value in using Google extensions to the Android software platform and the limitations they may create: more features vs. a smaller marketplace

Learn how to optimize your coding workflow while internationalizing your applications from one language to multiple languages using regional settings

Handset users:

Learn more about the growing Android software marketplace and what platform features to look for on your next smartphone

Learn about the three types of Android license that may ship with a phone

Learn what a “long click” is and how to use it to customize widgets on your phone

Learn about longer battery life and other valuable new features Android’s background services bring to the software application marketplace

Specific topics:

Dalvik Java Virtual Machine

Memory management: stack vs. registry

One of the few platforms that can run services in the background (multi-tasking apps)

Battery performance

Security

Internet

Networking

Web browsers based on WebKit

How developers emulate the on-phone camera and other on-board sensors

Developing an application with content, resources, and code

Easier access to GPS (global positioning services)

SQL database

Hidden costs

Software availability differences between various software platforms – why iPhone and Android both have a significant advantage in the United States over other handset software platforms

What new innovations does Android platform bring to the handset

Deep-Pixel Event Photograph

Ron Fredericks is not only a videographer but he also brings his 21 megapixel digital camera with a combination of wide-angle and telephoto florite lenses. The snapshot presented here shows Ron operating his portable broadcast video studio while filming the event from several angles and audio sources.

Marko Gargenta Presents – the snapshot

Here is a time line for the video presentation

Have you noticed all those red naviagtion dots embedded into LectureMaker’s video player? These dots allow a viewer to quickly get a sense of what content is included in the video. “I hate to be asked to watch a video – especially a long video – with no idea of whether I should take the time to watch it or note” – Ron Fredericks, designer of LectureMaker’s video player. With these navigation dots, the nature of “Watch my video” has really changed!

Here is a list of navigation dots embedded into this video. This may help you quickly find content you may be interested in watching from this video.

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About Ron Fredericks

Ron Fredericks has a vision for using massive video content in the cloud to promote new ideas and generate new income streams for his clients. He is the Co-founder and new media technical evangelist at LectureMaker LLC. Ron has developed a streaming video distribution platform for corporate users with several plug-ins for eCommerce, data analytics, tagged video topics, massive file sharing across user devices, and secure access to name a few. Ron uses a video studio to cross-over from engineer to artist while capturing live events for educational reuse, generating green screen video clips for promotional marketing, and producing animated visual art for use in UI projects. Ron is a public speaker, blogger, and journalist promoting technology for his clients while using his video recording experience and video distribution product.